Showing posts with label H K Carlton. Show all posts
Showing posts with label H K Carlton. Show all posts

Saturday, May 27, 2017

Facing an Empty Nest (#pnr #giveaway #newrelease @AuthorHKCarlton)


Autumn's Healing cover

By H K Carlton (Guest Blogger)
Thank you so much for hosting today. Im excited to share a little bit about my new release, Autumns Healing, a paranormal, erotic, romance published by Totally Bound.

This story was one that as a writer, I struggled with. Whether we like it or not, sometimes our own experiences thread into the plot. Not always but from time to time it happens. Often I find it therapeutic. It helps me to either work out the problem or at the very least, see it more clearly. But this one was so raw and personal that I actually had to put it away for a while. I didn’t know if I would be able to finish it.

Our heroine, Mikaylah MacDonough, is dealing with an empty nest for the first time and when I started writing this story, so was I. It was a difficult topic for me to tackle. I found my deepest darkest fears surfacing as I wrote. For anyone who has also experienced this, it is a time of both excitement and anticipation for the next steps in your child’s life but it is also overshadowed with sadness and fear, real and imagined. On one hand you want them to go out into the world and take it, on the other there is still that overwhelming need to keep them safe and protected from that same big scary place.

Being the parents of three Millennials, my husband and I have also experienced what some affectionately call "boomerang kids". And although for a short time, we were empty-nesters, we have also had our kids move back in after attending university, thankfully, at different intervals. At the moment, one of the three, is under our roof. I know some peoplelike my husbandlook forward to the day when we are once again alone, but I am not one of those people. Nothing feels morerightto me, as when I go to bed at night and know that all three of my babies are under this roof. That completes me. If it wasnt for the boomerang effect, Im not certain I would have completed this story. Funnily enough, the back and forth of it, is helping me to let go, bit by excruciating bit.

Blessings and Happy Reading.

Autumn’s Healing - Blurb


Rarely do we get to pick our battles… Often, they choose us.

Single mom Mikaylah MacDonough and her only daughter Autumn have been on their own a long time. So, when Autumn goes off to school, it seems only natural for Kaylah to pull up stakes and follow, though with some clear-cut boundaries, of course. She’s determined to give Autumn space to enjoy the whole college experience but remain close enough for emergencies, meals and laundry. But when the closing date of the current house overlaps with taking possession of the ‘new’ house, along with orientation week, Autumn has to go it alone. From that moment on, Kaylah’s dreams of a new beginning turn into a complete and total nightmare.

When former serviceman Jerusalem Aames drives up to the century-old Cleary house, he sees dollar signs for himself and his all-veteran crew. The rundown, old place would finally put his fledgling construction-renovation firm in the black. But the moment he meets the gorgeous homeowner who had been duped into buying the money-pit, his attraction is swift and instantaneous.

However, there’s something very strange going on in the dilapidated house that has nothing to do with rotting timbers or shoddy wiring. Whatever it is, it’s affecting Kaylah’s state of mind, and Salem finds himself in a battle he’s not sure he can win.

What Reviewers are saying:

From the start, I was intrigued with Kaylah and her old house. The idea of the paranormal good or bad makes the story thrilling. Salem and Kaylah are both survivors and I appreciate how well they are suited for one another. Then comes the shocking truth that Salem uncovers and I was flabbergasted, did not expect the turn in this story. I love it! Autumn's Healing is a highly recommended read!
~ Amy: The TBR Pile

Buy Links:

Add it to your Goodreads TBR list!




Excerpt

They ended up in each other’s arms. Salem’s pulse was already racing from the strange events, but his interest in Kaylah was undeniable. He seized the moment and captured her lips.

At first, she froze, and he thought she might push him away.

A small sound erupted from the back of her throat and she pressed her mouth firmly to his. She fisted her hands into his shirt and pulled herself up against him. She’d be fully aware of his arousal, but that knowledge only seemed to excite her. She hauled him even closer, gripping his shirt so tightly her fingers bit into his abdomen. To his shock, she snaked her other hand downward, palming his hard-on. Unprepared, he choked at the unexpected but welcome grope.

The pressure felt good. He pushed his length into her. She rubbed with the heel of her hand. It had been a long time since he’d been with a woman. He was afraid if he allowed her to continue, he might embarrass himself over a couple of open-mouthed kisses and a few strokes of his over-eager cock.

To take the heat off him, he skimmed his fingers up under her shirt. She stiffened and gripped his wrist. Then swiftly, she pulled away.

I’m sorry, Kay, I wasn’t thinking, I didn’t mean to make you uncomf— Ahh, fuck!” He raked his hand through his hair.

Neither one of us was thinking,” she murmured as she took a step away.

In a nervous gesture, Salem swiped a hand over the back of his neck. He figured he’d kick himself out before she had the chance. “I’m gonna go,” he said, heading for the door. “But I’ll be back in the morning, and we’ll do a thorough walk-through. I’ll definitely take a better look at the wiring issue.”

Thank you.” Her voice sounded raspy and sexy as all fuck.

He let himself out. The screen door squeaked as it closed behind him. Hazarding a quick look over his shoulder, he could barely make out Kaylah’s silhouette in the entryway.

He’d taken one step off the porch before he heard her soft voice.

Salem… don’t go.”

Salem’s entire body tensed, his cock surged. Swiftly, he did an about-face and, as best he could, he hopped back up the stairs, careful to avoid the broken one. Kaylah pushed open the screen door and welcomed him back inside.

Contest!

Want to win a free copy of Autumn’s Healing? Just leave me a comment, with your email, telling me why! I’ll randomly draw a winner on Friday June 2nd.

About the Author

H K Carlton is a multi-published Canadian author of romance and its varied sub-genres and couplings.

Variety is creativity’s playground — It’s where you’ll find me




Wednesday, October 19, 2016

Passionate Women! (#lesfic #lgbtq #eroticromance @AuthorHKCarlton @PridePublishing)

Ladies Only cover

By H K Carlton (Guest Blogger)

Thank you, Lisabet, for inviting me back. This time I'm bringing a few friends along. Shhh, they don't know it yet. My latest release is a part of an anthology. My first one! I'm excited to see my name alongside the lovely Lucy Felthouse, Helena Maeve, RA. Padmos and Cari Z as a part of the Ladies Only Antho from Pride Publishing.

For me, it all started with the submission call for Ladies Only. The specs: Passionate women who stand up for what they believe, strong female leads and exciting plots...

Oh the possibilities.

Lately, writing wise, I've been on an organized crime and exotic dancer kick. And what else goes hand-in-hand with the mob than the Feds.

I'm also a big fan of episodic cop shows which often feature strong female characters. For my contribution to the Ladies Only antho, In the Flesh, our female protag is an ATF agent who's next assignment takes her into the seedy underworld of organized crime. Even when it came to the naming the lead, Kate Benson, I combined the names of my favourite female TV detectives, Olivia Benson (SVU) and Kate Beckett (Castle). Two tough yet feminine women who kick ass and clean up this messed up world on a weekly basis. Who's with me? Any Castle and Law & Order fans out there?

I have a deep respect and appreciation for all law enforcement. Often a thankless job, and in this day and age, a scary and unpredictable one.

In the Flesh is a nod to the phenomenal woman who fight crime, right the wrongs and make this world a better place and in this case, look damn sexy doin' it.

Meet Kate & Carly...

Blurb: In the Flesh by H K Carlton

Working undercover, nothing is ever as it seems…

Assigned the unenviable task of taking down the untouchable Travino crime family, undercover ATF Agent Kate Benson and her veteran partner Mike Pennington are thrown into the seedy underworld of organized crime.

Kate is asked to draw on her past experience as a dancer and infiltrate one of Travino’s skin clubs, In the Flesh.

Posing as Vivienne, Kate meets exotic dancer Carly. From the moment they first dance together, she can’t seem to keep her mind or her greedy hands off the dynamic dancer. Together they sizzle on stage and off. She soon realizes she’s falling for Carly but knows from past experience that beginning a relationship built on half-truths is a recipe for failure.

As Kate attempts to straddle the line between doing her job and being as honest as she can be with Carly, while still maintaining her cover, Kate and Mike are caught snooping around the club after hours by none other than the mob boss himself.

And Kate knows there’s not a two-step in the world that can save them now.

Excerpt

Bring on Carly,” one guy shouted, inciting the horde into a steady chant.

Carly. Carly.”

My God.” Kate rolled her eyes. “Could they drag this out any more?”
I believe this is called fever pitch, baby.”

The entire place plunged into darkness. A hush fell over the audience. Several seconds ticked by before the spotlight hit center stage.

In the circular glow stood a woman with her back to the crowd, dressed in a navy croptop and high-cut leather shorts, barely covering her shapely bottom. Thigh-high black boots hugged long beautiful legs, spread wide in a provocative stance.

Shrill whistles and lewd comments ensued, but Kate hardly noticed. A low hum of excitement began in her stomach.

An obscure warble pulsed through the sound system. The dancer rolled her shoulder to the weird rhythm.

It was a strange song. The beat seemed off for the kind of bump-and-grind expected.

With an impressive one-eighty, Carly faced the crowd, dressed as a cop. What Kate had mistaken for a crop-top was, in fact, a standard blue, beat cop’s dress shirt, tied at the waist, giving a tantalizing view of her belly. Pinned to one breast pocket was a shiny gold badge. On her head, an official-looking cap. Dark-lensed, gold-rimmed aviators topped off the look.

Oh, yeah, there was a twinge.

Another round of catcalls faded when the beat of the music tripled, fast and loud. It pounded in Kate’s chest.

In an exaggerated runway walk, Carly strutted the long catwalk splitting either side of the audience. A set of handcuffs swayed at her waist. She had a rockin’ body. A dancer’s body. Strong and muscular in all the right places, not bulky or angular.

She removed the sunglasses, tucking them at her ample cleavage, again diverting Kate’s attention to the swell of breasts pushed up in the vee of the shirt.

After inventorying her lovely assets, Kate zeroed in on her face. At that moment, Kate realized she’d met this gorgeous woman before. Several times. But always in another capacity. She was the sexy-as-fuck woman from the office. Body and brains.

Awesome investigative work, Kate, she berated. Granted, she always seemed to have a different hair color and style, along with slightly altered makeup. A true chameleon, an asset in this sort of work.

Carly looked down at her and winked before making her way back to the main stage. Kate’s gaze went straight to her shapely ass, following the long line of her dynamic legs.

There's already a wonderful review from Alpha Book Club, if you'd like to check it out. In the Flesh received 5 stars and a 'Holy Hotness' from reviewer Arlyna and I'm thrilled! Read the full review here:




Ladies Only Anthology

Genre: contemporary lesbian erotic romance
Release Date: September 27
Publisher: Pride Publishing

With stories by:

Lucy Felthouse - Window Dressing
RA Padmos - The Tiny Blue House
Cari Z - Worth a Shot
Helena Maeve - The Woman Next Door
H K Carlton - In the Flesh

Grab your copy today!


Also Available in Print

About H K

H K Carlton is a multi-published Canadian author of romance and its varied sub-genres and couplings.

* * * H K * * *

I enjoy writing in many different genres. I write where the muse takes me and make no apologies for it. By now, it’s quite safe to say I will never pick just one genre and stick to it. There are just too many possibilities and stories left to tell. I hope you’ll join me for the ride.

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Check out the Ladies Only Authors here:


Wednesday, December 23, 2015

Bah! Humbug!

By H K Carlton (Guest Blogger)

Bah! Humbug!

I'd like to thank Lisabet for inviting me back. I’m excited the share my first holiday story entitled Mistle Tow. But be forewarned, if you’re looking for a mushy sentimental, carol-filled, tree-trimming, tinsel clinging, twinkling lights and sweet togetherness kind of story, that’s not what this is.  It’s really only a holiday story in the sense that it takes place over the Christmas season.

Have you ever had one of those years when you wished you could just avoid the holidays altogether? A wake me when it’s over kind of feeling. Everyone else is joyful and festive and you just want to bah humbug the entire season.

I think we all have. Whether, it’s just been a crappy year all around and you’d just like to forget it, or maybe finances are an issue (when aren’t they?), illness, or perhaps you’re dealing with a break up and facing the season alone for the first time in a long time. The thought of watching all the happy couples around the supper table is the last thing you want to endure.

That’s what Brant Holley is coping with this year. He’s determined to put the past behind him and avoid the holidays all in one fell swoop.



Blurb

The last thing Brantley Holley wants to do this year is spend the holidays at home with his family.

In an attempt to move on from his failed marriage, Brant places the marital home on the market and also decides to clean house, ridding himself of any and all reminders. Although it wrecks him to do so, that includes selling his beloved ’66 Chevelle, which may also have contributed to the demise of his marriage.

Brant puts his baby up on the auction block at one of the premier auction houses— the auction to be held over the holidays. But instead of racking up needless extra miles on her, which might be a detriment to potential buyers, he hires a flatbed tow truck to convey his precious cargo from Philadelphia to Arizona.

But when the rollback shows up, Brant is totally unprepared for the sexy blonde bombshell in the red Santa hat, who steps out of the massive red tow truck.

All of a sudden, the holidays are looking a whole lot more festive.

Excerpt

After filling up on food and fuel they were on the road again. The light, fun, and teasing banter continued, often turning quite sexual in nature.

By the time they finally stopped for Kin to rest, Brant was pretty keyed up.

Same as the night before she started out on the other side of the truck, but she was restless.

Come over here,” he said, finally. “You’re obviously more comfortable this end.”

She cracked and eye and squinted at him. Invitingly, he spread his arm out.

With a sigh she switched ends.

Twenty minutes later, she was still wide awake.

Brant reached over and floated his hand over her forehead softly then stroked into her hair.

Can’t sleep?”

No.” She sat up, bringing her knees up. She sat close to him. “Not with you touching me.”

Rebuked, he set his hands in his lap. “Sorry.”

But as she continued to look at him, what she’d meant became clear. “Not when you’re anywhere close to me.”

His cock lengthened. He wasn’t the only one fighting the overwhelming attraction.

With his index finger, he reached over and moved her hair from her forehead.

Directly over her shoulder, on the hook, the little piece of mistletoe attached to the pompom on the Santa hat, goaded him.

With the same finger, he gave the sprig a little flick. It danced over her head.

Brant then softly traced the line of her full bottom lip with his thumb.

Ever so slowly, he leaned in. Kinley remained utterly still. Brant softly kissed her lips then immediately backed away. Giving her a chance to put a stop to this. He’d give her the choice. But he wanted this badly. It would be torture to stop, especially when they had so many miles yet to travel together, but he would.

This is probably the stupidest decision either one of us has ever made,” she whispered.

It was all the encouragement he needed.



Buy Links

Evernight     Amazon     BookStrand     All Romance


***GIVEAWAY***

T'is the season of giving. I'll be gifting one of my other Evernight Titles.

Winners choice, whichever tickles your fancy. Click on the links to read the blurbs.

M/M Naughty Fairy Tale, Jack and the Jean Stock
Mild D/s, Next Weekend
OR
Erotic, New Adult, Memories of Us

Instead of sharing a Christmas you'd like to forget, share with us what you're most looking forward to this year. Time off, seeing family/avoiding family, good food?

I'm looking forward to having all three of my children under the same roof again, even if only for a short time. Nothing feels more right.

Leave us a comment and an email address to enter.
Merry Christmas, Everyone. Wishing you all the blessings of the season.

Cheers!

About the Author

H K Carlton is a multi-published Canadian author of romance and its varied sub-genres and couplings; including contemporary, historical, paranormal, naughty fairy tales, family saga, mafia/mob and erotica (m/f, m/m, menage, m/f/f, m/m/m)

Social Media Links
Pick a Genre Already (H K’s Blog)
Twitter (@AuthorHKCarlton)